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The more you know before you go, the better your trip will be. Our goal is
to provide you with information useful, accurate and to the point. As you
plan, keep in mind you are doing a great deed. You are blessed with the grace of
God and you are going to Honduras to share that grace and to bless the people.
There is nothing we could write in here that would explain the wonderful
experience you’ll live through while in Honduras. It is up to you to let the
hand of our Lord Jesus guide you as you embark in this fabulous journey.
Our purpose is to give you an idea of basic necessities to
make yourself confident, safe, and healthy while you travel. Keep in mind
everyone has different perceptions as to how to fulfill their needs. It is your
prerogative to decide what applies to you and what would be useful to you.
Always remember you are doing God’s work and He will keep you
safe. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…”
Matthew 10:28
We are eager to share our experiences and
look forward to a great ministry together. For more information do not hesitate
to contact us.
Check the following links of other places we visit
while in Catacamas, Honduras.
- How much money will I need?
- Will I need a passport?
- Do I have to get immunization shots?
- What are my risks of getting sick?
- What kind of clothes should I wear?
- What things should I bring with me?
You will need about $950.00 between immunizations, travel, hotel stay,
meals, and souvenirs. The flight ticket from Orlando is approximately
$600.
There are numerous ways of raising the money for the mission trip. You’ll be
surprised how friends and family are willing to help you in your walk with Jesus
and your desire to serve. Attached is a
sample letter
to assist you in your search of sponsors.
Another idea is to gather donations for a fundraising Garage Sale and/or
Silent Auction. We live in a consumerist society. People will give you money if
you give something in return. I discovered that by mentioning to shoppers of my
purpose for the garage sale, they were more willing and interested in buying
something.
Yes, you will need a passport. Visit any Clerk of the
Court (some post offices have this service) to renew or get a new passport. It is advised to make a few
copies of your passport. One to give to the elders for the file at church and
one to take with you in the event you misplace your passport.
It is recommended, however not required, that you get several
immunizations. Following are a subset of the medications recommended by the
CDC for visits to Central
America. The medications below are the most important to get and you must
get vaccinations and malaria pills at least two weeks before you leave on the
international field trip. Prices given are for the Seminole County Health
Department. You can pay with cash or personal check. You will need to call SCHD
to make an appointment.
Seminole County
Health Department
400 West Airport
Boulevard
Sanford, Florida
407-665-3000
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A – @ $39.29 one shot. Get the 2nd booster
shot 6 months later; good for life.
Typhoid – @ $57.90 one shot; good for 2 years.
Tetanus – @ $27.50 one shot, good for 10 year.
Influenza - @ $15.00 one shot, good for 1 year.
Prescriptions
SCHD will charge you $12.00 for each prescription. It is best
if you go to your family doctor, who with only one fee would write all
prescriptions you may need. The cost of the medication varies according to your
local pharmacy and/or insurance.
Anti-malaria pills –
Chloroquine pills. Directions: 1 pill per week on
the same day and time each week. Start one week before the trip. Then once a
week during your stay and for 4 weeks after you return.
Warning: You may experience certain
side effects when taking anti-malaria pills. Some side effects are:
nightmares, fever and strange feeling.
In over 20 years of folks going to the school there has never been a
case of malaria. Use 40% deet bug
spray (Sawyer brand is a good one available at Walmart), bring long pants and
long sleeves in case we’re out at night, but mosquitoes have not been an
issue.
Ciprofloxaci -
For traveler’s diarrhea. You will
need a 3 day supply (2/day) or one a day if you intend on taking them as a
preventive.
Food and waterborne diseases are the number one cause of illness in
travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites,
which are found throughout the region and can contaminate food or water.
Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and
parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage
(hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking water are safe.
Diseases carried by insects:
Malaria
Dengue
Diseases carried by food or water:
Escherichia coli diarrhea
Hepatitis A
Typhoid Fever
To avoid getting sick…
Wash hands often
with soap and water.
Use hand
sanitizer gels when no soap is available.
Drink only
bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles.
Avoid ta b
water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
Eat only
thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself.
Don’t eat food
purchased from street vendors.
Don’t eat dairy
products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
Don’t handle
animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious
diseases
Don't swim in
fresh water. Salt water is usually safer.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites:
Pay special
attention to mosquito protection between dusk and dawn. This is when the
type of mosquito whose bite transmits malaria is active.
Use insect
repellents that contain 40% DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide).
It is encouraged to dress modestly. Travel light and travel
with the fact that we are going to a poor country and just because you might
have changes of clothes you will appear rich, so don't over do anything, keep it
simple. The maids at the hotel will wash our clothes for a very low cost
(approx. $2 for a load.) This allows
us to pack light, because we usually want to use our extra allowable suitcase
for supplies for the school. Don’t
wear too much jewelry. Wedding band and watch is okay.
-
T-Shirts. Long sleeve shirts for
night as the temperature cools off in the evenings. Also it is recommended
because mosquitoes are typically out at night. If you spray yourself with
mosquito repellent you’ll be fine.
-
Long pants, jeans.
-
Capri pants / skirt (Ladies). No
short shorts for Ladies. It is accepted for men to wear Bermuda pants.
-
Hiking shoes and/or Tennis shoes
(comfortable). Sandals are not recommended because most of the roads are
dirt-roads and you’ll encounter puddles when it rains and occasional animal
droppings.
There is a small convenience store in the street corner by the
hotel, where you can find some necessary items. For example, disposable razors,
soap, food, etc. There is also a Texaco station about two blocks from the hotel,
where you can find provisions and film. If you are a chocolate aficionado, the
Texaco station is the place to go.
Some suggestions to bring are the following:
Toiletries and First Aid Kit
Bath soap
Shampoo and Conditioner
Deodorant. It is recommended not to wear strong perfumes as
it may attract mosquitoes.
Tooth brush. To brush your teeth use bottle water.
Pocket size gel sanitizer
Pocket size Kleenex and/or flushable wipes. Some public
restrooms have no toilet paper.
Alcohol swabs
Tylenol or Advil
Benadryl or any Antihistamine that works for you.
Imodium and/or Pepto-Bismol
Prescription medication
Suntan lotion
Insect repellent with at least 40% deet. Apply suntan
lotion before insect repelent.
Toiletries bag
Other paraphernalia
Camera
Journal
Small flashlight for walking at
night. It is strongly suggested to be accompanied at all times.
Small backpack for every day use
Small umbrella for sun or rain
Small sewing kit. You’ll be
surprised someone always needs something mended. Accidents do happen.
Small alarm clock. Battery
operated is best. Although the electricity is the same as the US.
Small battery operated necklace fan, if the heat bothers
you a lot
Hat and sunglasses.
Your cell phones will not work in Catacamas,
unless is a satellite phone.
Snacks
You do not need to bring too many snacks. Unless you have a
condition where you must snack regularly during the day, there are plenty of
opportunities to buy packaged items, like plantain chips, corn chips, bottle
sodas and candy. There is no meal in the airplane and the bus ride to
Catacamas from Tegucigalpa is about 3 hours long. So you may want to bring
something for the road trip. However, there is a rest stop
half way, where you can stretch your legs, go to the bathroom and buy snacks.
Suggestions for snacks are as follow:
Bottled water for the trip (it’s pretty hot and you’ll get
thirsty). Once at the hotel you can buy bottled water that you can refill
with distilled water as much as you want. Bottled water is sold everywhere in
Catacamas. The school also has a distilled water dispenser, that you are
welcome to drink from.
Dry fruit / nuts.
Granola bars.
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